Column A or Column B?

I stole the first paragraph below (politely) from my nephew on his blog and decided to add my thoughts:

"Christianity is the second of the Abrahamic faiths; it follows Judaism and is followed by Islam. It differs in its belief of Jesus, as not a prophet nor historical figure, but as God in human form. The Holy Trinity is the concept that God takes three forms: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost (sometimes called Holy Spirit). Jesus taught the idea of instead of seeking revenge, one should love his or her neighbors and enemies. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save humankind and forgive people's sins."

---------(Spazzmo Says)---------

Pretty sterile definition of "Christianity". Unfortunately, that's exactly how most of the world sees it; sterile, rigid, unforgiving.

It's too bad we "Christians" (screw it, anytime I say "we", I mean me) can't live what Christ truly taught. The whole idea of truly being a follower of Christ involves falling incredibly in love with someone who has given His all for each of us. His love for us and our love for Him in return should absolutely drive our every action and decision. It has to become our motivation for everything we ever say or do.

Until we fall head over heals in love with God and this incredible adventure He has given to each of us, are we "Christians" really living as "Christians"?

C.S.Lewis has this cool bit in either "Surprised by Joy" or "Mere Christianity" where you only really have three options. In comes down to what you are going to do with the factual, historical, Jesus? He was either a liar, lunatic, or is in fact, the Lord, God... (harsh)

Either (1) Jesus was a liar and everything He said and taught was straight from the pits of hell. If so, why would so many thousands of people follow everything He taught? And why would his early followers die such insanely hideous deaths because of their belief in Christ and what He taught?

Or (2) Jesus was a raving lunatic and didn't have a clue to any bit of reality; running around saying He was from heaven and the Son of God, etc. But what do you do with all the recorded miracles and (again) all the followers of His, willing to be tortured for following this "raving lunatic"?

Or (3) Jesus Christ is exactly who He said He is and His words, life, and reality are something that really needs to be dealt with.

If you realize and accept that the third choice is the only logical choice, it will change everything in your life. From how do I love my extremely loud and obnoxious neighbor and the dirt bag that cuts me off on the highway to how do I love the ones that want to end that "inconvenient" pregnancy or the friend or co-worker that comes out to you but is scared to death about what their family will do. It will change everything...

Unfortunately, God remains but a sterile definition to most people and we never see Him as this amazing, loving, Father God that is so jealous because we all run everywhere else except to Him, when all He wants is to be "Daddy" to all his kids.

I guess Alice Cooper's had it right when he said, "Drinking beer is easy, and trashing your hotel room is easy. But, being a Christian, that's a tough call. That's real rebellion."

>ouch<